+ Reformed Apologist James Swan’s Belittling Contempt of Luther 1) From: That Jesus Christ Was Born a Jew [1523] from Luther’s Works [“LW”]: Vol. 45, pp. 199, 205-206; translated by Walther I. Brandt: A new lie about me is being circulated. I am supposed to have preached and written that Mary, the mother of God, was not a virgin either before or after the birth of Christ, but that she conceived Christ through Joseph, and had more children after that. [ . .... Read more
Kim Bishop is a member of the Charismatic Episcopal Church. We have been friends online for many years , and recently engaged in the following (public) dialogue on my Facebook page. The discussion there is a little longer than it is here. I think it brings into focus many basic Catholic-Protestant differences in outlook. Her words will be in blue. *** I have a question for you Dave. During the schisms in the church the leaders got together and decided... Read more
Catholic Encyclopedia (“Christmas”, 1908, C. C. Martindale): [T]he tradition that trees and flowers blossomed on this night is first quoted from an Arab geographer of the tenth century, and extended to England. In a thirteenth-century French epic, candles are seen on the flowering tree. . . . the Christmas tree [was] first definitely mentioned in 1605 at Strasburg, and introduced into France and England in 1840 only, by Princess Helena of Mecklenburg and the Prince Consort respectively. “History of Christmas Trees” (History.com): Germany is credited with starting the Christmas tree tradition as we now know it in the 16th century when devout Christians brought decorated trees... Read more
This is my response to Steve Schlissel‘s article: “What Thinkest Thou?” (no longer online). I initially replied: Pastor Schlissel might do even better in his ecumenical maturation process if he would drop the antiquated and baggage-laden terms “Romanism” and “Romanists” (much beloved of anti-Catholics; all we need is “Romish” too) Even James White can agree to that much. I know it is too much to ask to refer to us as simply “Catholics,” but the Anglican-originated “Roman Catholic” would be acceptable (even... Read more
Fr. William Saunders, in one of his consistently excellent articles for The Arlington Catholic Herald (12-19-13), wrote: St. Luke related the announcement of the birth of St. John the Baptist to his elderly parents, St. Zechariah and St. Elizabeth. St. Zechariah was a priest of the class of Abijah (Lk 1:5), the eighth class of 24 priestly classes (Neh 12:17). Each class served one week in the temple, twice a year. Josef Heinrich Friedlieb has established that the priestly class... Read more
(6-2-14) *** I totally agree that there are very serious problems in the blogosphere, and particularly, these days, on Facebook, which is just about as bad now as the old Internet discussion boards, that I left for good in October 2003 (and explained why at the time). In 2003, Internet discussion boards were all the rage. Blogging was still relatively new. Facebook is now the most fashionable and trendy thing. I stopped debating anti-Catholics in 2007, too, for the... Read more
(12-14-06) *** G. K. Chesterton On Christmas and its Modern Detractors * If ever a faith is firmly grounded again, it will be at least interesting to notice those few things that have bridged the gulf, that stood firm when faith was lost, and were still standing when it was found again. Of these really interesting things one, in all probability, will be the English celebration of Christmas. Father Christmas was with us when the fairies departed; and please God... Read more
(12-8-14) *** Jonathan Huddleston (see Facebook / resume) is an ordained Church of Christ minister, and has been assistant professor of Old Testament at Abilene Christian University. He obtained his doctorate in Hebrew Bible / Old Testament from Duke University and he speaks biblical Hebrew, koine Greek, Ugaritic, Aramaic, German, French, and Swahili. That’s extremely impressive. What an honor, then, that he was willing to dialogue on this topic with me, on my Facebook page! A true scholar and a gentleman... Read more
(12-7-06; final two paragraphs added on 12-8-17) *** Many of our esteemed Protestant brethren have a big problem with Catholic beliefs concerning the Blessed Virgin Mary. Catholic convert Kimberly Hahn once gave a great talk (one of my own favorites) about her own past struggles, entitled, “Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary.” Our Lady’s Immaculate Conception is one of these “controversial Catholic distinctives.” Like the other Marian doctrines, it’s not nearly as foreign to Scripture and Protestants’ own belief-system as often erroneously thought.... Read more
(2-4-05; abridged and very slightly edited / added to otherwise, on 12-7-17) *** This is drawn from what was originally a very extensive dialogue with a friendly and learned Reformed Protestant, Alastair Roberts. At first, he himself asked me to respond to a series that he wrote on the topic. I was happy to oblige. I feel, however, that the two-part dialogue (see parts one / two, via Internet Archive) is far too long and involved for the vast majority of... Read more
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In